Tributes for Parramatta touch football president Rod Hetherington following death

A touch football president has been remembered as a champion of the sport who was instrumental in upgrading facilities that made his Parramatta club the envy of the competition.

Parramatta Touch Football Association president Rod Hetherington was devoted to the sport.

Parramatta Touch Football Association president Rod Hetherington – who was once lauded as the heartbeat of the club – has been remembered as a loyal servant of the game following his death from cancer.

A minute’s silence was held for Mr Hetherington at the Parramatta Council meeting on Monday night, on the eve of his funeral at Rookwood Cemetery when Parramatta Touch Eels players honoured his request and wear their blue and gold polo shirts.

Mr Hetherington died on September 29 aged 65 after being ill with salivary gland cancer for more than two years.

The Pemulwuy resident was also a NSW Touch Association board member and financial director, a skill he also flexed as the Newcastle Knights Leagues Club general manager for two years more than 20 years ago.

But when he returned to Sydney, he was all blue and gold when it came to his touch football club.

Parramatta Touch Football Association president Rod Hetherington and his wife Pam. Picture: Facebook

Rod Hetherington, his son Rick and granddaughters. Picture: Facebook

He and his wife Pam became Parramatta Touch Football Association life members in 2018 when they were “unanimously voted in, under thunderous applause’’.

Mrs Hetherington said her husband loved seeing players develop.

“He loved being involved in the sport, helping people – he was just friends with everybody,’’ she said.

He grew up playing rugby union but got involved in touch football after seeing Pam play.

Over the years, he became a champion of the sport and successfully lobbied for federal government funding to upgrade lights at the Eels’ home turf of Doyle Ground, North Parramatta.

“Now everybody loves them and wants to play at our grounds because the lighting is so good,’’ Mrs Hetherington said.

Councillor Michelle Garrard said Mr Hetherington was instrumental in advancing the club.

“A lot of the grant funding that’s behind the upgrade to Doyle Park was all part of Rod’s idea and vision … and getting the amenity that we need at Doyle Park to sufficiently cater for our community,’’ she said.

“Everything that he’s done in and around Parramatta with kids and sport, including the Parramatta Eels, has been exceptional.’’

Pam got her husband Rod hooked on touch football. Picture: Facebook

Councillor Dan Siviero said Mr Hetherington’s legacy would continue through his children and grandchildren.

“The family has given so much,’’ he said.

“They’re very famous across Sydney – people come from everywhere to play touch at Doyle Park on a Tuesday or Wednesday night.

“Yes all four of my children play touch, and yes, they hate it when it’s 38 degrees but they know how good it is for them and it’s a really great place to play.’’

In a statement from NSW Touch Association, Mr Hetherington was described as a loyal and influential servant of the Parramatta Touch Association, and served several roles including coach, administrator and referee.

He served as the Eels president for the past 15 years but began work with the committee more than 30 years ago on its committee after he started with South Sydney Touch Association.

His contributions led him to be awarded the 2022 Aileen May Medal for NSWTA Affiliate President of the Year.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, his children Jenna, 37, and Rick, 34, and three grandchildren.

Games scheduled at Doyle Ground for Tuesday have been cancelled.